Archive for July, 2011

The buzzing’s of social media harmonize through symphonic typings of text messages, late night tweets, and clattering clicks on red notification tabs. This technologic tune hacks into Facebook bars, and regenerates the Twitter-sphere’s teasing and toxic rotation. Teenagers dance along to the beat of stumping statuses, and become pleasurably distracted by streaming entertainment. The zooming gushes of high speed access, and innovative inventions have charged the social media’s powerhouse, ultimately creating an empire that reigns supreme and unsurpassed.

Over 350 million users spend twenty minutes navigating Zuckerberg’s social networking site daily. 25 million of his Facebook fans engage in polyamorous relationships with Twitter, Tumblr, and Myspace for an additional 2,400 seconds throughout the duration of the week. This savvy time sinker is primarily booming due to its accommodating convenience. There are more than 180 mobile operators in 60 different countries that promote social networking products, including downloadable apps.

Leaving teenagers free to suppress their superficial needs, while becoming professional prowlers of the World Wide Web can be cause for concern. Although social media has proven to be reliable in terms of defeating chronic boredom, blogging, chatting, instant messaging, texting, emailing, surfing, and streaming are temporary fixers that often result in the sabotage of daily responsibilities.

“Facebook and texting help me feel connected with my friends. Without using it, I feel like I’m estranged from the world. It’s like withdrawal from a medication.” For some, keeping in touch with friends outside of school provides a sense of internal security, and exterior connection. The use of Social Media sites create opportunities for unlimited interactions with peers, contrived self disclosure, dissemination of information, provocation with others, and indirect contact through third parties due to generalized postings. In severe cases, excessively accessing social networking sites will result in mental counseling from a psychiatrist. Dealing with an addiction primarily based on compulsivity can be swiped out with mental health consultations. At first, codependency on inter-web connection may seem harmless, but when mood alterations occur, and distressed demeanors become apparent without the accession of social sites, seeking professional help is ideal.

Positively speaking, Internet use has been reliable and sufficient for those who manage it with responsibility and caution. When the privilege is neglected and abused, havoc will follow closely behind. For those who can monitor their daily use on social networking sites, the outcome will most likely shine in a positive light due to self disciplined actions. If losing track of time is an issue, constrain the limits, and lay off the added hours. Productive procrastination is not advised or acceptable when putting work before play. Therefore, log off of Facebook, shut down the phone, and take care of tomorrows tasks. Addictions can easily rob seconds on the clock, and runaway with your sanity. Please be aware, and access with caution.

Written by Intern for Shawn Edgington: Elyse Hill is a 17-year-old aspiring fashion journalist who resides in the Lone Star State. When she isn’t writing, reading Teen Vogue Magazine, working at Ralph Lauren, and spending quality time with her family consume the remains of her day.